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ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com

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FDA vs. Amgen: At Odds Over Avacopan

MedPage Today

The FDA has requested that Amgen voluntarily withdraw avacopan (Tavneos), a treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, but the company said it has no plans to pull the drug from the market.

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RA,polyarticular,black,rheumatoid

ALTO: Long-Term Abatacept Outcomes in At-Risk RA

Jack Cush, MD

Lancet Rheumatology has published the ALTO results - long term outcomes of the APIPPRA trial, demonstrating that treatment with abatacept (ABA) in at risk patients can delay progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years.

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artangiogca.jpg

Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada

Jack Cush, MD

A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX).

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Pain,FM,fibromlyalgia,Trigger

Which Fibromyalgia Drugs are Cost-Effective?

Jack Cush, MD

A cost-effectiveness analysis compared FDA approved fibromyalgia drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) with amitriptyline and found duloxetine was the preferred strategy across perspectives.

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Gout pills injection

SGLT2 Inhibitors in Gout - Better Outcomes, Fewer Meds

EurekAlert!

Natalie McCormick, PhD, of the Rheumatology and Allergy Clinical Epidemiology Research (RACER) Center within the Division of Rheumatology in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine

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MTX.box

Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX.

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FDA vs. Amgen: At Odds Over Avacopan The FDA has requested that Amgen voluntarily withdraw avacopan (Tavneos), a treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, but the company said it has no plans to pull the drug from the market. https://t.co/v5AYm6r53W
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
REcently published SMILE study looked at the potential of HCQ (vs PBO) to prevent SLE in at risk people. Had to be ANA+ and 1-2 SLICC criteria at entry. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/s4Mzoec5ga
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX. https://t.co/ODiVqUXBb9 https://t.co/QwmNkrjvn6

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/iyC68qh49R
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX). https://t.co/7hIpn6CJXg
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA sent a complete response letter to AstraZeneca on their application (BLA) for anifrolumabs (Saphnelo) subcutaneous use in SLE. Despite a positive TULIP-SC trial & EU approval of SC-anifrolumab, FDA & sponsor still have to work things out. CRL reasons are unknown https://t.co/3dNwEyolrj
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SMILE enrollment hampered by COVID - yet failed to show a protective effect for HCQ in preventing SLE. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/GImHpycbgO
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX. https://t.co/PDUv2YRFIq https://t.co/2DuBXjNqec

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Long term outcomes study of 22 pts w/ adult Stills. 16 (72.7%) completed LTE w/ mean observation 168.9 wks. 3/22 had serious adverse events, Tx efficacy ACR70=68% and 95% reduced in glucocorticoid doses w/ 41% in GC-free remission https://t.co/h0MvDLWGhD https://t.co/HDIKF7VMwA

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis (GCA) with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous (IV) vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating https://t.co/GPt7sTzbpH
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retractions in Rheumatology Retractions in rheumatology are rising. An analysis of Retraction Watch data found 381 retracted articles (1989–2024), driven by misconduct or data errors. 68.5% originated in Asia, over half from China (50.7%). https://t.co/I6WmceNi2m https://t.co/6z0jHPaiaR

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/fJrhypNE2A
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

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